INTERVIEW SERIES: WHAT TO BRING

Whether traveling by car or plane, this post has you covered! We all know the #1 rule of any interview is keep your suit with you. Who hasn't heard the tragic story of the person who packed their suit into a checked bag and then the bag was lost? Yea, let's not do that. And anyways, you do not need enough stuff to check a bag. Here is a comprehensive list of all the things that I've ever needed on the interview trail.

1. Simple travel outfit. To minimize what I pack, I have a few "travel outfits" that I wear both to and from my destination. This is generally something simple and versatile like black leggings, a comfy tee, a cardigan and sneakers. I'm currently loving my Adidas; they're cloudfoam {aka memory foam} and are suuuper comfortable. My other go to are my Nike Flyknits. the exact styles I wear are a few years old but the current ones can be found here. Also pro tip: I always wear a scarf both bc planes try to freeze you to death and because the scarf can serve as a neck pillow.

2. Travel bag/carry-on. The best travel bag per other residents I work with and the internet is the OG by Lo & Sons. It fits just about everything for a long weekend and is well-organized with a simple, sleek look and comes in tons of colors. The only reason I don't own it is because that price point just doesn't work for me. It happens to be on sale for 40% off right now though so it would make a great christmas gift! The bag I have is this Charlotte+Asher diaper bag which doubles as an excellent work bag. It's almost as large and has tons of pockets that make for easy organization and travel. Both of these bags make great carry-ons!

3. Interview suit. Again, keep it with you! I just rolled mine up neatly and compactly in it's own bag and put it in my carry-on and steamed/ironed it as needed at my hotel/airbnb.

4. Comfortable interview shoes. Because, duh. It is sooo painful when I see someone walking on the tour with stiletto heels. Just no. Lol.

5. Travel steamer. This is a life saver if you don't hang your suit or blouse when you travel. I've had this one for like 4 or 5 years and it still works beautifully.

6. Phone, case and charger. I love using a phone case with a cardholder so that I don't have to fumble for my license while going through security. I bought this attachment to put on my already existing case and I love it. This one is also similar. This case and this case already have the cardholder built into them.

7. Portfolio or handbag. For the actual interview day, either one of these options are reasonable to carry. Just make sure it's not too big or cumbersome.

8. Notepad. For quick notes and names and any questions that you come up with.

9. Information about the program/interviewers/hotel/addresses. Some people like to print this info and carry it with them. I prefer taking a picture on my phone and then organizing it into albums so that it's easy to access! If I carried physical copies I would definitely lose them somewhere. 

10. Water and small snacks. If you're gluten free or vegan or have any other diet restrictions, this is pretty important. I once had an interview where the only thing I could eat was the fruit and I hadn't brought any snacks of my own. Let's just say it was a looooong half day.

11. Emergency goodies. ibuprofen for the potential headache, stain remover pen, lint brush, breath mints or gum, floss, and oil blotters. This cute minimergency kit (#9) already has most of these items and more. I carry mine in my purse just in general life and it has come in handy many a time.

What other essentials do you have to travel with? Leave a comment and let me know! Hopefully, this was helpful.and good luck with interviews, friends - you're all gonna kill it :)